﻿32 SMiriisoxrAX miscellaneous cof-lections vol. 74 



his cossack, he explored as much of the island as he could during the 

 short stay of al)OUt 6 hours, collecting plants, hirds and other natural 

 history ohjects. This was the first landing of a scientific man in 

 Alaska for the purpose of making obseryations and collections. 



The principal object of the trip to Kayak Island was to yerify 

 Steller's description, to locate the place where he made his celebrated 

 landing and where the water was obtained, and to make such collec- 

 tions of natural history objects as circumstances would allow. Pas- 

 sage for the 50-mile trip to Katalla was secured on the motor boat 

 Pioneer. Leaving Cordova at 2 a. m. on June 29, it did not reach 

 Katalla until 9.30 p. m. owing to its grounding at ebb tide on the 

 extensive mudflats at the mouth of Copper Riyer. Another motor 

 boat was hired at Katalla, but it was not possible to leave until the 

 following day, so that Kayak Island was not reached until 6.15 p. m. 

 A landing was eft'ected at the mouth of a creek which, from Steller's 

 description, can be none other than the one at which Bering's crew 

 took in water. Owing to the fast failing daylight, the party at once 

 set out along the beach in the direction of the mainland for the distant 

 hill described by Steller. but came to an abrupt halt after a laborious 

 walk of about two miles along the bouldery lieach at a compara- 

 tively recent fall of huge blocks of conglomerate rock among which 

 the ocean waves were breaking so furiously as to stop further progress. 

 The remaining few moments before darkness set in were utilized in 

 collecting a few plants accessible along the beach at the foot of the 

 precipitous cliffs which prevented access into the interior of the island. 

 Returning, Cordoya was reached at 4 p. m. 



The fair weather which had favored the expedition hitherto 

 changed to fog and rain after leaying Seward. Passing through 

 Shelikof Strait opposite Katmai, a glimpse was had of the mountains 

 on Kodiak Island still white, as if covered with snow, from the ash 

 deposited diu'ing the eruption of the Katmai yolcano in T912. The 

 passage through Unimak Pass was successfully accomplished in spite 

 of the heavy fog on July 10, and the Mojave anchored ott the Akutan 

 Whaling Station which was yisited. Two finliack whales were stripped 

 of their lilubber during the inspection, .\rriying at Unalaska at 3.30 

 p. m. the outfit and baggage of Stejneger and Lindcjuist were at once 

 transferred to the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Algonquin which was 

 lying ready to take Secretary Huston and Mr. Bower to the Pribilot 

 Islands for an inspection of the fur seal rookeries there, leaving 

 Unalaska the same evening. 



